CONTROL OF PACIFIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 16 August 1944, Page 4

CONTROL OF PACIFIC

ROOSEVELT’S STATEMENT APPROVED COMMENT IN AUSTRALIA Sydney, Aug. 15. The tenor of President Roosevelt's statement on Pacific post-war con trol has found general approval in Australia. Collaboration aft outlined in the Australian-New Zealand Agreement signed last January is seen as an essential feature of the security arrangements to be made for this part of tho world. "President Roosevelt put with overwhelming logic the view that this problem is not American, nor British, nor Australian, but that it could only be solved by the give and take Of a United Nations’ control,” said Ithe “Sun” in an editorial. "The hope of the world lies in collaboration, particularly of two great English speaking peoples. And collaboration entails some reasonable accommodation. Any danger in the Pacific must be danger equally affecting American and Empire security there and particularly the security of Australia and New Zealand."

Viewing the United States as the chief protector of the United Nations’ Pacific interests, the “Sun" voices the fear that pride, vengeance and hate some day may lead Japan to dispute again the hegemony of the Pacific. The paper suggests as a safeguard some form of international defence control not affecting the practical aspects of island sovereignty and the setting-up of a secretariat by participant nations. “There is solid encouragement for Australia and New Zealand In the earnestncuft with which President Roosevelt addresses himself to the problem of securing the future peace of this region against aggression,” says the “Sydney Morning Herald" in an editorial. “His preliminary suggestions, tentative and broad as they are, open the way tor a continuance of fruitful Allied wartime co-operation in drawing up a design for Pacific peace. Into his broad picture, the Australian-New Zealand conception of a Southern Pacific «one of security embodied in the Anzac Pact neatly fits. We ourselves must rely nn a protective screen of islands which can be developed to full advantage only with the permanent collaboration of our American, Dutch and French allies. With our small population and limited Industrial recources it It not enough to bold vital strategic points; we shall require help from other powers in making an effective use of them in an emergency." “Few Austrttliini will dispute America's right to take over bases formerly held by Japan," comments the “Sydney. Dally Telegraph." These bases will not only ensure America's safety but also help us to protect ourselves.” The paper adds that economic and com. mereiil as well as defence questions will be involved in the control of the Pacific Islands. Only the use of great taet. honesty and goodwill wilt make possible the reaching of an agreement between the United Nations. Australia must put forward every effort towards collaboration."--?,A. Special Australian Correspondent.